Jay (Jane Marie) Griffin

Jay (Jane Marie) Griffin, a student at Hewitt-Trussville Middle School, took his own life on Thursday morning, May 25, 2017.

Jay (Jane Marie) Griffin

Jay is survived by his parents, Matt and Erin Georgia; his sisters, Julia and Anna Georgia; his maternal grandmother, Jane Griffin; his paternal grandparents, Greg and Cathy Georgia; and predeceased by his maternal grandfather Monty Griffin.

Jay was born at Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital, in Jacksonville, NC on November 26th, 2003 to United States Marine Corps Corporal Erin Georgia. Jay has extended paternal family, Jimmie Colon and his mother Carmen Reyes, who currently reside in Orlando,Florida. Jay lived in North Carolina, California, Georgia, and finally Trussville, Alabama during his 13 years of life.

Jay was first and foremost a beautiful spirit. From Jay’s scouting years in American Heritage Girls, to experimenting in youth lacrosse, and to playing clarinet in the middle school band, Jay grew more confident in discovering his true identity as Jay Griffin. From that personal moment of self-discovery to his more public declarations of identity, Jay was an advocate for the LBGTQ community. Between publicly educating friends and family on proper pronoun use, and privately struggling with being called by his birth name and gender, Jay continued searching for the ever-elusive balance of social acceptance and personal validation.

It is because of his bright spirit and personal struggles that many lives have been changed and many more questions will be pondered. Unprompted, Jay would tell them to challenge what they think they know and to discuss all perspectives.

Services for Jay Griffin are scheduled for Tuesday, May 30th at First United Methodist in Trussville, AL. Family visitation starts at 3 p.m., and then opens to the public at 4 p.m. The funeral service will begin at 5 p.m., with light refreshments and reception immediately following.

Middle school is the 9 cycles of hell in 1 building especially for anyone a little different or trying to find their place in the world. I admire this family’s honesty and openness. This tribute touched my heart. My prayers are with them.

Middle school is the 9 cycles of hell in 1 building especially for anyone a little different or trying to find their place in the world. I admire this family’s honesty and openness. This tribute touched my heart. My prayers are with them.

Heart breaking right now. I had heard through my son about this, but had no details. Middle school is such a tough time of trying to figure Life out. My prayers are for this family and all those who knew them.

Heart breaking right now. I had heard through my son about this, but had no details. Middle school is such a tough time of trying to figure Life out. My prayers are for this family and all those who knew them.

My deepest condolences to this grieving family. Special prayers of comfort to all that loved him. As a parent, my heart ached reading this. It is my prayer his mom finds peace knowing her baby is at rest.

My deepest condolences to this grieving family. Special prayers of comfort to all that loved him. As a parent, my heart ached reading this. It is my prayer his mom finds peace knowing her baby is at rest.

It’s so sad that parents don’t teach their children to not be so superficial, cruel and think they are better than the child next to them-especially over things as dumb as clothing or hairstyles. Every snotty little brat bully should be caught, expelled and sent to Anti-Bullying/a dose of humility camps. There’s way too much allowance for kids to pick on those who aren’t in their little groups or who don’t dress like sheep following the herd.

He sounded like a very intelligent child. My heart hurts for this family. I couldn’t imagine the pain they are going through. People shouldn’t judge others and accept all. My children are raised to be kind to all and to never go along or not speak up if they witness bullying. It is never ok. God made us all different for a reason. Praying for peace and comfort for the family and friends.

So very sad. Middle school is such a horrible time of life, especially for those that are different in any way. Beautifully written obit. My heart goes out to this family. This child us same age as my own son. I can’t imagine. Prayers.

RIP brother. To the family, I’m extremely saddened by your loss. I know losing a child is a harrowing experience. I donated some “flowers” to the acceptance center, but if I can help in absolutely any other way please let me know. Parent to parent and Marine to Marine.